Report of a regional meeting on health of older women: policy, gender and delivery of service issues, Bangkok, Thailand, 23-25 September 2014

Abstract

Available information indicates that a large proportion of older women in Member States of the South-East Asia Region are marginalized and vulnerable to many health problems due not only to old age, but also because of low socio-economic and cultural status. Longevity with poor health, inadequate support from family members and the community do not contribute positively toward well-being and quality of life of older women. Older women are more likely to be widowed, have low economic security, less involvement in the labour force and more care-giving responsibilities than elderly men. A regional meeting on Health of Older Women: Policy, Gender and Delivery of Service Issues, was organized by the World Health Organization's Regional Office for South-East Asia in collaboration with the Department of Ageing and Life-Course, WHO headquarters, and the Elderly Health Division, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Royal Thai Government. The general objective of the meeting was to promote the health of older women in countries of the South-East Asia Region, examining the health status and care available to older women, examining different successful policies and practices including a framework of action, related to the health of older women. The framework for action will have two overarching priority areas – to strengthen health systems to better respond to the health needs of older women and in expanding human rights commitments and standards to promote women's health through a life-course approach by taking into account the gender perspective.